Sex-Dependent Relationships Between PFAS and Placental Transcriptomics Identified by Weighted Gene Co-Expression Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental toxicants associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. The exact mechanisms by which PFAS impairs neonatal health are undefined, but the placenta is a likely target.

Objective

We applied a systems biology approach to identify placental RNA co-expression modules (gene sets) associated with PFAS exposure and birth weight.

Methods

Placental tissue samples (n = 147) from the GLOWING study underwent RNA-sequencing, and PFAS concentrations were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We constructed a weighted gene co-expression network using Spearman correlations across 15,028 transcripts, identifying 20 gene modules. Linear regression models were used to examine associations betw

SUBMITTER: Perez C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12262800 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature